Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of connecting an aftermarket component with a vehicle using an interface apparatus in order to provide communication between said vehicle and said aftermarket component, said interface apparatus connected via a first connection to a factory data bus of the vehicle which transports signals according to a first data format, the interface apparatus further connected via a USB port to a data channel of the aftermarket component which transports signals according to a second data format, the interface apparatus including at least one processor, the method comprising: auto-detecting, via the at least one processor, a factory data bus type corresponding to the factory data bus, out of a plurality of potential factory data bus types, wherein said auto-detecting of said factory data bus type includes, (i) performing a first measurement on said factor data bus, said first measurement being performed by said interface apparatus, and (ii) identifying said factory data bus type among a plurality of possible types of said factory data buses; receiving digital signals from the aftermarket component via said USB port, the digital signals being in the second data format, the second data format corresponding to the aftermarket component; auto-detecting, via the at least one processor, an aftermarket component type of said aftermarket component, wherein said auto-detecting of said aftermarket component type includes, (i) receiving said digital signals from said aftermarket component over said USB port, and (ii) using said digital signals to identify an aftermarket component type among a plurality of possible types; identifying said first data format according to said factory data bus type; identifying said second data format according to said aftermarket component type; translating the digital signals from the second data format into the first data format according to the type of factory data bus and the aftermarket component type; and transmitting the translated digital signals in the first data format to the vehicle via the first connection.
A method for connecting aftermarket car components (like stereos) to a vehicle's existing computer system using a special interface box. This box connects to the car's data network (factory data bus) and to the aftermarket component via a USB port. The box automatically detects the type of data network the car uses and the type of aftermarket component connected. It then translates data signals from the aftermarket component's format into the car's data network format and sends these translated signals to the car. The interface determines the car's data network type by taking measurements on the data bus and matching the measurement to a known type. The interface determines the aftermarket component type by analyzing the data received over the USB port and matching it to a known type.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the aftermarket component is an aftermarket stereo that has replaced a factory-installed stereo.
The method described previously, where the aftermarket component connected to the car's computer system via the interface box is a replacement car stereo that was installed after the car was manufactured, replacing the original factory stereo. The interface box facilitates communication between the new stereo and the car's existing systems.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the aftermarket component is a cellular telephone or a tablet.
The method described previously, where the aftermarket component connected to the car's computer system via the interface box is a cellular telephone or tablet device. The interface box enables data exchange and control functionality between the mobile device and the vehicle's data systems.
4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising: receiving analog signals from the vehicle via a third connection between the interface apparatus and the vehicle; digitizing the analog signals; translating the digitized analog signals into the second data format; and transmitting the translated digitized analog signals to the aftermarket component via the second connection.
The method described previously, which also includes receiving analog signals (like audio or video) from the car through a third connection to the interface box. The interface box converts these analog signals into digital signals. It then translates these digitized signals into the data format understood by the aftermarket component and sends them to the aftermarket component via the USB port.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the identifying step for said factory data bus includes: identifying a frame rate of the factory data bus; identifying the factory data bus type out of the plurality of potential factory data bus types, based at least partially on the identified frame rate.
The method described previously, where identifying the car's data network type includes determining the data transmission speed (frame rate) of the car's data network. The type of data network is then determined based, at least in part, on the measured data transmission speed.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the vehicle include signals to control a factory-installed display on the vehicle.
The method described previously, where the translated signals sent to the car are used to control a display screen that was originally installed in the car at the factory. This allows the aftermarket component to display information or control settings on the car's existing display.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the vehicle include signals to control a factory-installed satellite radio module on the vehicle.
The method described previously, where the translated signals sent to the car are used to control a satellite radio receiver that was originally installed in the car at the factory. This allows the aftermarket component to control the factory installed satellite radio module.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the vehicle include signals to control a factory-installed Bluetooth module on the vehicle.
The method described previously, where the translated signals sent to the car are used to control a Bluetooth module that was originally installed in the car at the factory. This allows the aftermarket component to control the factory installed bluetooth module.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the vehicle include signals to control a heating and air-conditioning module on the vehicle.
The method described previously, where the translated signals sent to the car are used to control the car's heating and air-conditioning system. This allows the aftermarket component to adjust climate control settings.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the vehicle include signals to control a factory-installed amplifier on the vehicle.
The method described previously, where the translated signals sent to the car are used to control an amplifier that was originally installed in the car at the factory. This allows the aftermarket component to control the factory installed amplifier.
11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the vehicle include signals to control a factory-installed navigation module on the vehicle.
The method described previously, where the translated signals sent to the car are used to control a navigation system that was originally installed in the car at the factory. This allows the aftermarket component to control the factory installed navigation module.
12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the vehicle include signals to control a factory-installed speech module on the vehicle.
The method described previously, where the translated signals sent to the car are used to control a voice recognition system that was originally installed in the car at the factory. This allows the aftermarket component to control the factory installed speech module.
13. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the analog signals received from the vehicle via the third connection include video signals from a factory-installed camera.
The method described previously where the analog signals received from the vehicle, digitized, translated, and sent to the aftermarket component include video signals from a camera initially built into the vehicle. This allows the aftermarket component to show video from the vehicle's built-in camera.
14. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising: receiving digital signals from the vehicle via the first connection, the digital signals being in the first data format; translating the digital signals into the second data format; and transmitting the translated digital signals in the second data format to the aftermarket component via the second connection.
The method described previously, which also includes receiving data signals from the car's data network. The interface box translates these signals from the car's data format into the aftermarket component's data format and sends them to the aftermarket component via the USB port. This allows the aftermarket component to receive information from the car's systems.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the aftermarket component include status signals from a factory-installed heating and air-conditioning module on the vehicle.
The method described previously, where the signals translated and sent to the aftermarket component include status information from the car's heating and air-conditioning system. This allows the aftermarket component to display the current climate control settings.
16. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the translated digital signals transmitted to the aftermarket component include control signals from factory-installed steering wheel controls or from a factory-installed central control module.
The method described previously, where the signals translated and sent to the aftermarket component include control signals from buttons on the steering wheel or from a central control panel in the car. This allows the aftermarket component to respond to commands from the car's built-in controls.
17. An apparatus comprising: a vehicle-interface unit electrically connectable to a factory data bus of a vehicle via a first connection, the vehicle-interface unit being adapted to identify a factory data bus type corresponding to the factory data bus, out of a plurality of potential factory data bus types, and transmit and receive digital signals via the first connection according to a first data format corresponding to the identified factory data bus type; an aftermarket-component-interface unit electrically connectable to a data channel of an aftermarket component via a USB Port, the aftermarket-component-interface unit being adapted to transmit and receive digital signals via the USB Port according to a second data format corresponding to the aftermarket component; and a signal processing unit, said vehicle interface unit adapted to auto-detect a type of said factory data bus, by, (i) performing a first measurement on said factory data bus, and (ii) identifying said type of said factory data bus among a plurality of possible types of said factory data buses; said aftermarket-component-interface adapted to auto-detect a type of said aftermarket component, by, (i) receiving digital signals from said aftermarket component over said USB Port, and (ii) using said digital signals received to identify an aftermarket component type among a plurality of possible types; wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to identify said first data format according to said factory data bus type; wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to identify said second data format according to said aftermarket component type; wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to translate signals of the first data format, received by the vehicle-interface unit via the first connection, into signals of the second data format, and the aftermarket-component-interface unit is adapted to transmit, to the aftermarket component via the second connection, the signals translated by the signal processing unit from the first data format to the second data format, and wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to translate signals of the second data format, received by the aftermarket-component-interface unit via the second connection, into signals of the first data format, and the vehicle-interface unit is adapted to transmit, to a vehicle component via the first connection, the signals translated by the signal processing unit from the second data format to the first data format.
An interface device for connecting aftermarket components to a vehicle's computer system. It includes a unit that connects to the car's data network and automatically identifies its type, a unit that connects to the aftermarket component via USB and communicates in its specific data format, and a processor that translates data between the two formats. The interface detects the factory data bus by making measurements and comparing the measurements to possible bus types. It detects the aftermarket component type by analyzing data received via USB. The processor translates data received from the car into the aftermarket component's format and sends it to the component, and translates data from the component into the car's format and sends it to the car.
18. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the analog signals received from the vehicle via the third connection include audio signals from a factory-installed satellite radio module or a factory-installed Bluetooth module.
The method described where analog signals from the vehicle, digitized, translated, and sent to the aftermarket component, are audio signals originating from a factory-installed satellite radio module or a factory-installed Bluetooth module within the vehicle. This allows the aftermarket component to use audio from factory-installed modules.
19. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the vehicle-interface unit is further electrically connectable to the vehicle via a third connection, and is adapted to receive audio or video signals via the third connection from a factory-installed vehicle module, wherein the signals translated by the signal processing unit from the first data format to the second data format and transmitted by the vehicle-interface unit via the first connection include signals to control the aftermarket component, and wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to translate the audio or video signals, received by the vehicle-interface unit via the first connection, into signals of the second data format, for transmission by the aftermarket-component-interface unit to the aftermarket component.
An interface device that connects aftermarket components to a vehicle's computer system, as previously described, which also connects to the vehicle via a third connection to receive audio or video signals from a factory-installed module. The interface translates car's signals for the aftermarket component and sends control signals for the aftermarket component to the vehicle. It translates audio or video signals from a factory module to the format needed by the aftermarket component.
20. An apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the factory-installed vehicle module includes at least one of a factory-installed satellite radio module, a factory-installed backup camera, a factory-installed navigation module, and a factory-installed speech module.
The device previously described in claim 19, where the factory-installed module providing audio or video signals is a satellite radio, backup camera, navigation system, or voice recognition system originally installed by the vehicle manufacturer.
21. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the aftermarket component is an aftermarket stereo that has replaced a factory-installed stereo.
The device previously described where the aftermarket component is an aftermarket stereo that replaced the original factory stereo.
22. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the aftermarket component is a cellular telephone or a tablet.
The device previously described where the aftermarket component is a cell phone or a tablet.
23. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the vehicle-interface unit is further electrically connectable to the vehicle via a third connection, and is adapted to transmit audio or video signals via the third connection to a factory-installed vehicle module, wherein the signals translated by the signal processing unit from the second data format to the first data format and transmitted by the vehicle-interface unit via the first connection include signals to control the factory-installed vehicle module, and wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to translate signals of the second data format, received by the aftermarket-component-interface unit via the second connection, into the audio or video signals for transmission by the vehicle-interface unit to the factory-installed vehicle module.
An interface device, as previously described, also connecting to the car via a third connection, enabling it to send audio or video signals to a factory-installed module. The interface translates aftermarket component signals to control factory modules and converts the aftermarket component's signals to a format suitable for sending audio or video signals to factory-installed components.
24. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the audio or video signals are of a third format, the third format being different from the first data format and the second data format.
The device previously described, where the audio or video signals use a third, distinct data format different from both the car's and the aftermarket component's standard data formats, requiring the interface to also handle this third format.
25. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the factory-installed vehicle module includes at least one of a factory audio amplifier interface module and a factory video display module.
The device previously described where the factory installed module to which audio or video signals are sent is a factory audio amplifier or a factory video display.
26. An apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the audio or video signals are of a third format, the third format being different from the first data format and the second data format.
For the apparatus from claim 19 where audio/video signals from a factory-installed vehicle module are transmitted, such signals are in a third data format different from that used by the vehicle's data bus and the aftermarket component's data channel.
Unknown
September 2, 2014
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.